Customer Reviews

The Best of Meco

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I think I was maybe 7 or 8 when I heard Meco's version of 'Close Encounters' and was blown away by it. As soon as I found out this CD had been released the credit card jumped out of the wallet and the mouse started clicking. Yes, it is disco, but it rocks. And if you're an ELP fan, you'll love Meco's cover of the Jerry Goldsmith Star Trek theme. It's arranged and performed similar to ELP's version of Copelands 'Fanfare for the Common Man'. I had heard this arrangement at a parade once, but had no idea that Meco had done it. He's a genius. Now if I could just find the 45 version of 'Close Encounters' I'd be real happy. It was slightly different from the album version-a little slower if I recall. Anyway, buy this album. And if you like it, look into Neil Norman's work as well. More rocky than Meco, but just as cool.

This CD is fantastic, a compilation of the best, though the Intergalactic Funk could have been replaced with some of the music from the encounters album, the rest is fantastic. Meco sent me an autographed picture with a gold Wizard of Oz album when it came out after I wrote him-now I have another request if he reads this-PLEASE release the full albums on CD of SUPERMAN, ENCOUNTERS, STAR TREK, and especially WIZARD OF OZ. All of these are classics to me, and the albums just don't do it compared to the sound of the original masters. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD

Through design, fate, call it the elements of chance manipulated to affect yours truly, but some friends of my parents, more hip than they obviously, copied Meco's disco 10 minute+ version of the music from Star Wars for me and my brother in 1978. Not only was that the hippest I ever got into music in my pre-/early teens but well, now you know disco is the first kind of pop music I got into. That may be why I have such an affinity for classic disco string synths and horn ensembles. And those special sounds subbing for space sounds is so otherworldly.

However, I never got to hear the single version of "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" which went to #1 on the pop charts and #8 on the R&B charts in October 1977. Then again, after hearing the full version, I probably wouldn't have been satisfied with this version, smashing those it is.

Then comes the #18 single "Empire Strikes Back (Medley)" incorporating the Imperial March and Yoda's Theme, the latter made more heroic and upbeat. I wish I'd heard that when it first came out. Some shrieking TIE fighter special effects, lightsabre sounds, Chewbacca, and R2-D2 can be heard. Is Vader boogeying down to this number? However, "Asteroid Field/Finale" from ESB may be lost for people who never saw the movie, as the original score may not be familiar. However, Chewie and some TIE fighters remind people where this is from.

Two classic movies are done next. The "Theme from Close Encounters" is another triumph, taking the five notes communicated to by the alien spaceship" And the "Themes from The Wizard of Oz" segue together "Over the Rainbow" and "We're Off To See The Wizard," sung by some female backup singers. Included is some dialogue by Janet Burnham (Wicked Witch) and the Cowardly Lion. Music for the four travelers for skipping down the Yellow Brick Road.

"Star Trek Medley Pt. 1" incorporates the ST theme introduced with The Motion Picture before seguing into the theme of the 1966-1969 TV series. The initial electric guitar and burst of synths would be something repeated by Blondie in their hit "Call Me." I can just imagine Spock saying to Kirk: "Dancing to disco music while awaiting for warp drive is not logical." or McCoy grumbling "I'm a doctor, not an employee of Studio 54."

"Topsy" is Meco's take on the Cozy Cole of the same name, incorporating disco beats and strings on a swing tune.

"Meco's Theme/3 W. 57" is an original tune, with the usual punchy disco. It sounds like the theme from CHIPS with the theme from Gremlins combined at times. The name of the second part is taken from the address of Meco's record company.

"Moondancer" is another original tune, taken from his 1979 album of the same name. However, the R2D2 synths are revisited, as are some other robot-like synths. "Spooky" is another song from Moondancer and is less uptempo, more the pace of the Stones' "Missin' You."

If the Star Wars improv was Meco's "Stayin' Alive" then "Love Theme From Superman (Can You Read My Mind)" with the lush romantic strings, is his "How Deep Is Your Love". It includes some dialogue Lois Lane thinks at Superman when they're flying, done by Janet Burnham.

I haven't seen An American Werewolf In London, so I can't adequately comment on "Werewolf (Loose In London)" featuring lead vocals by Michael Falcon.

Now for the 15:46 version of the Star Wars single, which is the intro of pop music to yours truly. The medley taken from John Williams' original score is as follows: Title theme, Imperial Attack, The Desert and the Robot Auction, The Princess Appears, The Land of the Sand People, Princess Leia's theme, Cantina Band, The Last Battle, and The Throne Room and End Title. R2-D2 has some guest appearances here, with some special effects by Suzanne Ciani emulating laserbolts.

"Other Galactic Funk" is a 12:28 exercise of drum machines, horns, and sundry sounds.

After his work with Gloria Gaynor (he co-produced "Never Can Say Goodbye") and association with Casablanca Records' Neil Bogart (Donna Summer, KISS), Meco seemed to vanish as disco's popularity plummeted during the early 80's. Question now: for a one-shot thing, when is Meco going to do the disco versions for the Harry Potter them, something that even Professor Snape or Draco Malfoy would jam to? And he's a commodities broker in NY? What a waste of talent!

Call it disco, call it whatever you want. I am glad someone besides Bill Conti, Chicago, and the Three Degrees knew how to employ all those great brass instrument players. Great medlys and one of those albums you want around when your zipping along on a very starry night with a great car stereo........Bbb Bye.

Meco is the Beatle of the Disco Music. Ever since I was a boy I have Meco LP's and I still hear them. I bought this CD to enjoy Meco's music with digital quality. I have almost all Meco's LP releases, including Wizard of Oz (in perfect condition), Star Trek, Star Wars, Superman, etc. It would be great if Meco could release ALL his recordings in CD to enjoy the BEST DISCO MUSIC of all time. Meco, please do so, your fans won't let you down.

This Cd was a long time coming. The "disco" hits of Meco were very popular in the 70's, and their re-release is extremely well done in the program and sonics. All of the hits are there, including the various Star Wars tracks and one of my favorites, Other Galactic Funk. That track is an infectious drum and brass track that even found its way onto sports programs in the 80's. One problem with this release is that it only contains a short selection from one of Meco's "masterpieces"- the full "Wizard of Oz" in about 30 minutes of "disco glory." I can only hope that the entire recording will someday be released.

I've seen (or, rather, heard) the title theme and other notable music from the `Star Wars' trilogy re-worked into several different musical genres, including Big-Band/Swing, Jazz, and even a techno dance mix. But my all-time fave re-working of these immortal space-opera tunes are still the originals: the disco-pop renditions. Considering the era in which `Star Wars' was first released, I'd hafta say these particular covers best reflect that era! Four of the tracks in this collection are `Star Wars'-related (Star Wars Theme/ Cantina Band, ESB Medley, Star Wars LP cut, and Asteroid Field/Finale), and all of `em sound like they'd be right at home next to the Bee Gees and the Village People in that one dark, rarely-perused corner of your local record store!

Also included: a few other memorable movie tunes that have been fortified with 70s goodness. Probably the most notable of these is the `Star Trek' medley, which given half a chance would blend right in on a `Blondie' album. There's also a more energetic `Wizard of Oz' combo and a downright bizarre `Close Encounters' cut. Strangely enough, the `Love Theme from Superman: The Movie' doesn't sound all that different from the rendition that hit the pop radio airwaves at the time, and the rest is fairly decent stuff. But, let's face it: what really sells this CD are the disco Star Wars cuts. So grab your polyester Jedi outfit, faux-gold Millenium Falcon pendant, & an ice-cold 40 of Colt .45, and get down with your bad self!

`Late

I had to post a 2nd review of this disc because it is so great...Meco's music will live forever for me. I am hoping that Meco reads this...as he sent me an e-mail and I am hoping that I can reach him again, I cannot find his website. Meco if you read this, please write to me, I would love to talk with you...Robert

And of course it is because these are the Meco versions to the themes of the most memorable movies of the 70's & 80's; his "Star Wars /Cantina Band" theme is automatically associated with the movie and for many of us it has become the semi-official soundtrack of Star Wars. The extended version (15 min long!) includes the impressive "Imperial March". You won't regret to buy this CD.

I was looking for "Star Wars" music on the web and happened to come across this killer CD. Meco's music adds a catchier and quicker beat to tunes without overdoing it with every sound effect known to man. Meco did something I didn't think possible - he took great music and made it better. This CD is a good little "pick me up," and is soothing and relaxing at the same time. I had never heard of Meco before December 1999. Good thing there's the Internet and "Real Audio."